The Delhi High Court has directed multiple e-commerce platforms, including Amazon and Flipkart, to remove listings that infringe upon the trademarks “Reliance” and “Jio.” The interim order was passed on July 10 by Justice Saurabh Banerjee in a trademark infringement suit filed by Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). The court observed that RIL had established a prima facie case for the protection of its trademarks and that the balance of convenience lay in its favour. The judge further held that denying interim relief at this stage could result in irreparable loss and injury to the plaintiff.
In its order, the court instructed defendants 22 to 28, which include various online marketplaces, to take down the infringing product listings published by defendants 1 to 21, who were identified as individual sellers. The court also restrained these sellers from manufacturing, selling, advertising, or otherwise dealing in any products bearing the “Reliance” or “Jio” marks without authorization. Emphasizing the role of trademarks in consumer decision-making, particularly in the context of online retail, the court noted that brand names and logos are essential for customers to determine the origin and authenticity of goods. Any confusion arising from the unauthorized use of such marks could potentially compromise consumer safety, it added.
The case was initiated by RIL after it came to light that several sellers were offering fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) on digital platforms using the company’s registered trademarks. RIL, which operates a large FMCG business under the Reliance Retail banner, alleged that these unauthorised uses were misleading consumers into believing that the products originated from or were affiliated with the company. RIL’s FMCG portfolio includes fresh produce, dairy items, packaged foods, and everyday household essentials sold through both online and offline distribution channels across India.
The court’s direction strengthens the enforcement of intellectual property rights in the digital commerce space and reflects the growing judicial recognition of the need to protect trademark holders from the misuse of their brand identity on online platforms. The matter will continue to be heard on the merits at a later stage, but the interim relief signals a strong stance on the protection of well-known trademarks in the interim.
